Donal Óg Cusack included in Clare hurling backroom staff

Former All-Ireland winners Donal Óg Cusack and Podge Collins will both be involved in the Clare senior hurling set up for 2016.

Clare are hoping to dine at hurling's top table once again and in a statement released by the county board, have announced addition of the pair into the back room staff and provisional 34 player panel respectively.

Cusack, who won three All-Ireland medals with his native Cork, is brought in following Clare's relegation from Divison 1 of the Allianz Hurling League and their exit from the Munster SHC at the hands of Limerick earlier this year.

The 38-year-old will relinquish his roles as GPA chairperson as well as a pundit on RTE's The Sunday Game.

Davy Fitzgerald said in the statement: "I am delighted to welcome Donal Óg, Aonghus (O'Brien, coach) and Jimmy (Payne, strength and conditioning) to the setup. Their collective experience and expertise will further strengthen the already high quality backroom team in place.

"Over the next few weeks, there may be one or two additions announced to the backroom team and the panel. It is my intention to finalise the provisional panel at the end of January ahead of the commencement of the Allianz National Hurling League."

Ahead of his time as a selector and coach with the 2013 All-Ireland champions, Cusack said: "I am looking forward to the challenge and want to thank Davy Fitzgerald for the opportunity. Ahead of assuming my coaching position in Clare, I have met with RTE and following mutual agreement I have been released from my contract. I would like to sincerely thank RTE for the experience they have given me.

"I will be seeing out my term as chairperson of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), which will come to an end this year. I have also spoken with my local club, Cloyne to confirm my decision to retire from club hurling. I would like to thank the club for the support it has shown me throughout my career."

Aonghus O’Brien (coach) and Jimmy Payne (strength and conditioning coach) have also been added to the management team.

Podge Collins features in the provisional squad as he slowly works his way back from injury.